The Board of Directors of ACEA, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, has elected Dieter Zetsche as its new President. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division, will take over from Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, on 1 January 2010.
“The European automobile industry is confident to emerge stronger from
the financial and economic crisis and has defined sustainable mobility a
clear priority for the near as well as long-term future”, said Dieter
Zetsche, following his election by the ACEA Board. “To this respect, we
would welcome a positive and constructive outcome of Copenhagen”, added
Zetsche, referring to the UN conference on climate change starting next
week. “Our industry is a major contributor to finding and deploying
solutions in this field. Copenhagen could send the important signal that
partnership is key; partnership between industries, governments, academia
and consumers.”
Apart from countering the extraordinary economic woes, the ACEA
priorities for 2010 remain confined in four major categories:
contributing to sustainable mobility, further progress in road safety,
improving the regulatory framework, and enhancing competitiveness
including progress in trade liberalisation. “Through our trade
association ACEA, we will continue to seek a deep dialogue with all
stakeholders at EU level”, said Zetsche. “We look forward to working
closely with the newly elected European Parliament and the new European
Commission in order to help maintain a thriving automobile industry in
Europe and strengthen our global technology leadership.”
“Despite the challenges facing the entire industry, the European car
manufacturers have focused on strengthening their competitiveness and
investing in the technologies necessary for the future of mobility”,
added Carlos Ghosn, reflecting on his term as President over the past
twelve months. “In both areas, governments and regulators play a decisive
role in setting a predictable and stable operating environment. Our
industry is changing faster than at anytime in history, and a
collaborative framework is vital for our mutual success.”
About Dieter Zetsche:
Dieter Zetsche has been a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG
since December 1998 and is Chairman since January 2006. He is also Head
of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division which includes the brands Maybach and
Smart as well as AMG and McLaren. Zetsche, born in Istanbul, graduated
as an engineer from the University of Karlsruhe in 1976 and completed a
doctorate at the University of Paderborn in 1982. Zetsche joined
Daimler-Benz AG in 1976 at the research department in Stuttgart.
Subsequent positions took him to both the commercial vehicle and
passenger car divisions of the company and entailed postings in Brazil,
Argentina and the United States of America.
About ACEA:
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), founded in
1991, represents the interests of the fifteen European car, truck and bus
manufacturers at EU level. The ACEA members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks,
Daimler, FIAT, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Jaguar Land Rover,
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Toyota
Motor Europe, Volkswagen and Volvo. They provide direct employment to
more than 2.3 million people and support another 10 million jobs in
related sectors. Annually, ACEA members invest over €20 billion in R&D,
which makes them the largest private investors in R&D in Europe.